Pollution is a growing problem in American society. And nowhere in Maryland is pollution more of a danger than in the Annapolis State House, where the spread of noxious fumes from hordes of lobbyists threaten to suffocate the integrity of this state's legislative process.
Is this too harsh an assessment? Even some practitioners believe that the situation has spun out of control.
Lobbyists are now the lifeblood of campaign financing for many incumbents. In return, lobbyists expect -- and receive -- vital access to legislators to bend their ear on important bills. This, in turn, leaves a lasting public impression that the votes of legislators are being bought by deep-pocket lobbyists. The stain on both lawmakers and lobbyists cannot be removed easily.
But unless elected officials act soon to reduce the pollution, this issue could overwhelm them. Too many lobbyists are far too close to too many politicians in Annapolis. Another General Assembly session with stories of lobbyists running rampant could target incumbents as the focal point of citizen anger.
Unfortunately, finding a solution isn't going to be easy. Lobbyists have First Amendment rights to voice their views on behalf of their clients ("to petition the government for a redress of grievances"). Besides, ordinary lobbying isn't harmful at all. In fact, it's usually beneficial.
In Annapolis, the sad truth is that the lobbyists are essential players in making laws. If legislators did a better job of lawmaking, that might not be the case. But too many of them show up at hearings abysmally ignorant about the issues on the day's schedule. Far too few of them have even read the bills and fewer still have taken the time to study and research the issues.
They then spend much of their time during hearings reading newspapers, wandering in and out of the room, leaving to get refills of coffee and generally putting their minds on automatic pilot.
It's left to the lobbyists to educate these legislators on the basics of issues. They provide the background data. And they generally do this in private sessions, since the public hearings are often just for show.
Lobbyists give lawmakers a chance to see the many facets of an issue. No controversy has a clear-cut solution. "Truth" often depends on your point of view. Lobbyists help legislators examine the gray complexities of problems that aren't black or white.
The problem is that there is no barrier between lobbyists and legislators, no clear delineation of where information-giving ends and influence-peddling begins. The lobbying community is split on how to erect such a barrier. Legislative leaders don't want to destroy the cash cow that funds their colleagues' election campaigns or alienate longtime friends in the lobbying game.
And yet, the Senate and House presiding officers are being pushed by public outcry to do something. Pressure could mount if Gov.-elect Parris Glendening imposes restrictions on lobbyist contacts with his administration and shines more sunlight on his own meetings with lobbyists.
At a minimum, here are a few things that should be done:
* Ban gifts from lobbyists. Totally. The only purpose in a lobbyist giving a gift to a legislator or administration official is to create a cozy relationship that leads to access and influence.
* Ban all meal-buying and drink-buying by lobbyists. Legislators have an adequate per-diem expense allowance ($30 a day for meals without any receipts required). They should not be indebted to anyone who is trying to win their support on issues before the General Assembly.
* Bar ex-legislators who are now lobbyists from the House and Senate lounges and waiting areas. A lobbyist is a lobbyist. Period. The back rooms of committee hearing chambers should be off-limits for all lobbyists, too.
* Record private meetings with lobbyists in a public log. Committee chairmen in particular should limit their conversations with lobbyists and encourage them to make their case during the public hearings.
* Force legislators to disclose all substantive contacts with lobbyists during and after the legislative session.
* Compel candidates to disclose all campaign contributions from lobbyists and clients every month. Compel lobbyists and their clients to itemize all campaign expenditures in Maryland every month.
You can't ban lobbying outright, nor would that be desirable. But some firm dividing lines have to be enunciated. Public officials who are making public policy need to adhere to rigid ethical standards of conduct. That means removing even the perception of wrongdoing.
Barry Rascovar is editorial-page director of The Sun.